Container



sept.A 22, 1936. y s. K. WOLF- 2,054,959

' CONTAINER Filed Spt. 19, 1955 Patented Sept. 22, 1936 STATES PAVA'I'ElgV-lv -OFVFICE l.

v CONTAINER y Saul K. Wolff, Long Beach, N. Y. Application september 19, 1935, serial No. 41,245

7 Claims.

The invention relates toV containers, and more particularly to an ornamental guest boxfor use upon a table, or similar article, so constructed that when opened, cigarettes and other smokers articles may be conveniently removed therefrom.

Cigarettes are commonly packaged in cellophane covered paper and metal foil Wrappers. In handling such packages, the wrappers, after removal of a few cigarettes therefrom, collapse, andthe remainingcigarettes are liable to become soft from bending and pressing in handling the package. The appearance of a partially empty package is not attractive,l and while this may be a matter of indifference? to the individual smoker, a host or hostess prefers to offer an attractive package from which cigarettes may be removed without handling of packages, or of cigarettes other than the one being removed.

Most cigarette smokers have a favorite brand i or make of cigaretteaand when entertaining guests, a selection of several of the more popular brands is provided in an attempt to furnish each; guest .with the brand which he or she prefers. Y LWith the abo-ve conditions in mind, I have provided afcontainer-consisting of a pluralityV of sepa-rate compartments, each adapted to receive a package Vof cigarettes, these compartments being of a height to expose a considerable part of g the package beyond the topof the compartment.

The body of the container is made' in two sections, hinged together in a manner to cause the top of each package, when the container is open,l to project well above vthe container Yso as to permit ready access to any package when removing :a cigarette'therefrom. v

The containeris so constructed that when it is closed, no part of the contained cigarette packages canbe bent or subjected to adeforming pressure. The container, when closed, has theappearance of an ordinary oblong box having a hinged `cover Vprotecting the contained packages from dust and dirt, a construction capabler of receivingzan attractive or decorative finish perrnittingits use as atable ornament.

y .When opening the container, the two hingedr body `sections have relative movement, and the cover-has movement in relation to one of said sections, bringing all three parts of the container into positions in which the long wall of each section and the cover provide an `extended base preventing 4possibility of toppling of the container. Vwhile cigarettes are being removed from the package in `any compartment.

The construction and'arrangement of the two compartment box body sections and their contained 'compart-f ments or pockets, and the cover therefor, is such that when the box is closed, orbeing closed, the movement of any of these parts is so limited as to preclude the application of any pressure to any part of the packages of cigarettes in said compartments.

The form of the box body sections and the compartments or pockets is such that space is afforded adjacent eachcompartment for avclip adapted to hold a package of paper matches inl a position conveniently accessible when the container is open,and prevent the escape of the matches when opening or closing'the container.`

The invention'consists primarily in a container embodying therein a body portion consisting of two sections, each having two end walls, oneside wall and a bottom, a hinge connection between the bottoms of said sections, a plurality of casings permanently secured within one of said body sections and of a width lessthan that of the two sections, whereby a space is vaiorded in the other section for arti-l cles projecting from said casing, a ianged cover adapted to close the tops of both of said sec,-

tions, and a hinge connection between one edge' flange of said cover and the top of the side Wall.

of one of said sections, whereby with the raising of said cover, said sections will have pivotal movement in relation to each other so as to form an extended base consisting of the side Wallzoi"y one of said sections and said cover; and in such other novel features of construction landycombinationof parts as are hereinafter set forth and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended. -f

Referring to the drawing,V Fig. l isla perspective view of a container embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the container withwthe,

cover open, but with the container not in the fully'open position; Y 1

Fig. 3 is a section on theline 3 3 of Fig.v 2; Fig. 4 is a front view of the container in the fully open position; and

Fig. 5 is a transverse section of the container in the fully open position, on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout'` the several views.

AsY shown in the accompanying drawing,the

I4. The rear section II has a side wall I5, `end-` container embodies therein a body composed of walls I6 and a bottom I1. The two sections are united by hinges I8 connecting the free edges of the section bottoms I4 and I1 and permitting a free pivotal movement of the two sections when opening the box.

Within the box body, in the form of the invention shown in the drawing, are three compartment casings I9, each of which is identical with the others and is secured within the container body in the same manner, so that a de. scription of but one of these casings, and the manner of assembling same within the container, is necessary.

Each compartment forming casing comprises a strip of material having a front wall 20, side walls 2I and rear anges 22, by means of which it may be attached to the body of the container. The casing is secured in a position so that the bottom thereof is closed by a side wall of the container which is parallel with the hinges connecting the two sections.

In the form of the invention shown, the container is made of sheet metal throughout, and each casing I9 is secured to the bottom of the body section with which it is associated by being soldered, brazed or welded thereto so as to present a smooth finish exteriorly of the body.

Each casing I9 is of a height to extend beyond the edge of the bottom I4 or I1 of the body, so that when the container is closed, these casings, by engagement with the bottom of the other body section, will stop all pivotal movement of the container sections, thus preventing any possibility of these two sections turning in relation to each other to an extent to bend or crumple the projecting end of packages or other articles stored within the compartments formed byv said casings.

While the abutting end walls of the two sections would, if not displaced in relation to each other, have the same effect in limiting the pivotal movement of the two body sections, there is always the possibility that such end walls might become deformed, or might flex in a manner to make their action as stops unreliable. By positioning the flanges 22 so that they will overlay and engage the bottom of the section other than that carrying the casing, positive stops are afforded, and at the same time the bottom of both casings is reinforced to an extent to prevent possible injury to packages contained Within the various compartments.

In the form of the invention shown, the container is an oblong container and there are three compartment casings, two carried by the front section adjacent the opposite end walls thereof, and one carried by the rear section substantially centrally thereof so as to` be positioned intermediate the end casings carried by the other section.

It will be noted that each casing, while of a height to project beyond the edge of the bottom of the section carrying same and engage the bottom of the other section, is nevertheless much shorter than the distance between the side wall of one section and the side wall of the other section, thus affording ample space for the reception ofthe projecting ends of packages deposited in each of these sections.

When the container is closed, the effect is the provision of a compartment casing carried by one section and a pocket formed in the other section in alinement therewith, and this condition is true whether the arrangementof the casing is as shown in the drawing, or whether all of the casings are carried by the one section and project into the other section when the container is closed.

By this construction, when the container is closed, the package in each compartment is protected, as to every part thereof, from dust, dirt and bending stresses, and when the container is open, Ythe upper end of each package projects well above any part of the container so as to be readily accessible for the purpose of removing articles from contained packages without unnecessary handling of the package or of individual articles not being removed.

Hence, it is possible, when packages of cigarettes are placed within the container compartments, toV remove not only the top of the cellophane, paper and foil wrapping, but, if desired, to tear away a part of the sides of this wrapping without likelihood of the cigarettes being injured while within the container. At the same time,

Ythe container, whenclosed, acts as effectively to prevent drying out of the cigarettes as an ordinary metal carton.

The compartment casings are spaced apart in relation to each other in order to facilitate assembly of the container by convenient manufacturing methods, and at the same time avoid possible interference in the operation of the def f vice by the compartment casings.

The bottom of each casingis provided with a wide central tongue 23 projecting outwardly of the casing wall and then parallel therewith, so as to provide a clip for the retention ofY a package of paper matches adjacent each compartment, the height of the side walls being relatively greater than the thickness of the casings I9.

The side wall I5 has hinged thereto, at 24, a flanged cover 25, the dimensions of which are such as to inclose the open tops of both sections IIl and II when the container is closed. This cover, in addition to protecting the contents of the container when closed, also serves as a handle for opening the container and a part of an extended base for preventing possibility of overturning of the container while it is'open.

While not specifically designed as an ash receiver, the position and construction of the cover is such that it may, and undoubtedly will, be used for this purpose.

The bottoms I4 and I1 of the sections III- II have outwardly formed spherical nubs 26 forming rests for supporting the container from any surface to an extent to prevent engagement of the hinges I8 with that surface. These nubs are diierentially located adjacent the angle at each end of the side walls I2 and I5 and the adjacent end walls I3 and I6,'thus affording divergent supports for the container when it is closed.

Three compartment casings are used merely because, at the present time, there are three of the moreY popular brands of cigarettes.

When the container is closed, the two body sections IE and II are folded together and the cover is closed upon both sections, the fiange of the cover inclosing the top of the side and end walls of both sections since, in forming the sockets of the hinges 24, the material of the side wall I5 and of the adjacent flange of the cover is used, thus locating the axis of these hinges slightly below the top of said side wall. Hence, the flange of the cover adjacent the wall I5 laps upon the exterior of this wall.

As heretofore stated, cigarettes preferably are e beyondrthe wrapper.

t Y tion of the wrapper.

character, does not differ materially from the ordinary tin carton for one hundred cigarettes.

When it is desired to tender a cigarette to a guestit is merely necessary to grasp the cover in one hand, 'swing the cover about the hinges 24, raise the container until the side wall I2 rests upon the table and then allow the cover to drop, the weight of the cover turning the section II` about the hinges I8 and completely opening the container, so that the parts assume the position shown in Fig. 5 of the drawing.

When the containerv is thus opened, the ends ofthe `packages of cigarettes project for substantially one-half of their length above the end walls |37' and I6 and above the abutting edges of the bottoms I4'and I1, thus avoiding any obstruction which can interfere with the grasping of a cigarette with the nails of the thumb and the forenger in removing same from the package.

l It will be noted that when the container is fully opened, the side wallA I5 and the cover 25 engage the same flat surface, thus avoiding any possibility of the toppling of the container while in use. While the side wall I5 has an angular position in relation to the surface upon which the container rests, the portion of the side wall at thel juncture with'the bottom I'I also rests upon said surface.l `Notwithstanding that the relation of the container sections I Band lI `I Ymay be disturbed when removing a cigarette therefrom, nevertheless when the container is released, it will immediately reassume the position shown in Fig. 5.

AWhen it is desired to close the container, it is merely necessary to grasp a flange of the cover 25, raise it and the section II, and turn said section about the hinges I8, thus bringing the two sectionsI I0 and I I into perfectalinement, so that when both sections topple towards the cover, it may be'fitted to both sections as shown in Fig. 1.

In the form of the invention shown in they ,d drawing, thespacein the section I0, between the compartment casings I9, receives the projecting end of the package of cigarettes contained in the casing I 9 secured to the section II, and the space upon each side of the casing I9 secured to the section II receives the projecting end of the packages of cigarettes contained in the compartments I9 secured to the section I0.

As the two sections IIJ and II come into register with each other, the portion of the flanges 22 of the casings of each section overlap and engage the bottom of the other section, thus preventing any movement of these two sections excepting about the hinges I8 in a direction to move the projecting ends of the cigarettes carried in the compartment of one section away from the bottom of the other section. With this condition, there can be no bending and resulting mutilation of cigarettes because of the movement of the two sections I0 and II.

While the construction of container herein described lends itself particularly to the use of sheet metal in its production, it is obvious that other ymaterials may be used.

I have also described the invention inV connection with the convenient presentation of cigarettes to a guest. It is obvious, however, that the articles stored in the various compartments form no part of the invention.

The container of the invention is designed primarily as an ornamental household novelty, the limited capacity of the container making its use as a display'box undesirable. 'I'he box itself is an article of manufacture to be sold as such and not as a carton to promote the sales-of other articles. f

It is not my intention to limit the invention to the precise details of construction shown in the accompanying drawing, it being apparent that such may be modified with the use of diierent materials or different manufacturing methods without departing from the spirit and scopeA of the invention. Y

Having describ-ed the invention, what I claim as new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent, is:-

1. A container embodying therein a body portion consisting of twoV sections, each having two end walls, one side wall and a. bottom, a hinge connection between the bottoms of said sections, a plurality of compartment casings permanently secured within one of said body sections and of a width less than that of the two sections, whereby a space is afforded in the other section for articles projecting from said casing, a iianged cover adapted'to close the tops vof both of said sections,Y and ahinge connection between one edge flange of said cover and the top of the side wall of one of said sections, whereby with the raising of said cover, saidV sections will have pivotal movement in relation to each other so? as to form an extended base consisting of the side walll of one of said sections and said cover.

' 2I A container embodying therein a body portion consisting of two sections, each having two end walls, one side wall and a bottom, a`

hinge connection between the lbottoms ofV said sections, a plurality of compartment casings permanently securedv to the 'bottom of one of said body sections and ci a'width greater thanthat of the section to which it is secured butless than that of the two sections, whereby a space is afforded in the other lsection for articles projecting from said casing, and relative movement of said sections when closing the container is limited, al cover adapted to close'the tops of both of said sections, and a hinge connection between one edge of saidcover andthe top of theside wall of one of said sections, whereby vwith the raising of said cover, said sections will have pivotal movement in relation to each other so as to form an extended base consisting of the side wall of one of said sections and said cover.

3. A container embodying therein a body portion consisting of two sections, each having two end walls, one side wall and a bottom, a hinge connection between the bottoms of said sections, a plurality of compartment casings, each comprising a strip of material bent to form a front wall, side walls and rear flanges, whereby said casing may be permanently secured to the bottom of one of said body sections and of a width less than that of the two sections, whereby a space is afforded in the other section for articles projecting from said casing, one end of said casing being closed by the side wall of the secto close the tops of both of said sections, and a hinge connection between one edge of said cover and the top of the side wall of one of said sections, whereby with the raising of said cover,

said sections will have pivotal movement in relation to each other so as to form an extended base consisting of the side wall of one of said sections and said cover. Y Y

4. A container embodying therein a body portion consisting of two sections, each having two end walls, one side wall and a bottom, a hinge connection between the bottoms of said sections, a plurality of compartment casings, each comprising a strip of material bent to form a front wall, side walls and rear flanges, whereby said casingmay be permanently secured to the bottomof one of said body sections and of a width greater than that of the section to which it is secured but less than that of the two sections, whereby a space is aiorded in the other section for articles projecting from said casing, and relative movement of said sections when closing the container is limited, one end of said casing being closed by the side wall of the section with which it is connected, a coverradapted to close the tops of bo-th of said sections,rand a hinge connection between one edge of said cover and the top of the side wall of one of said sections, whereby with the raising of said cover, said sections will have pivotal movement in relation to each other so as to form an extended base consisting of the side wall of one of said sections and said cover.

5. A container embodying therein a body portion consisting of two sections, each having two end walls, one side wall and a bottom, a hinge connection between the bottoms of said sections, a plurality of compartment casings, each comprising a strip of material bent to forma front wall, side walls and rear flanges, whereby said casing may be permanently secured to the bottom of one of said body sections and of a width less than that of the two sections, whereby a space is afforded in the other section for articles projecting from said casing, one end of said casing being closed by the side wall of the section with which it is connected, a tongue formed outwardly and upwardly oi the end of said casing adjacent the bottom of the section to which it is secured, a cover adapted to close the tops of both of said sections, and a hinge connection between one edge of said cover and the top of the side wall of one of said sections, whereby with the raising of said cover, said sections will have pivotal mo-vement in relation to each other so as to form an extended base consisting of the side wall of one of said sections and said cover.

6. AV container embodying therein a body portion consisting of `two sections, each having two end walls, one sidewall and a bottom, a hinge connection between the bottoms of said sections, a plurality of compartment casings, each comprising a strip of material bent to form a front wall, side walls and rear flanges, whereby saidcasing may be permanently secured to the bottom of one of said body sections and of a width greater than that of the section to which it is secured but less than that of the two sections, whereby a space is afforded in the other section for articles projecting from said casing, and relative movement of said sections when closing the container is limited, one end of said casing'being closed by the side wall of the section with which it is connected, a tongue formed outwardly and upwardly of the end of said casing adjacent the bottom of thesection to which it is secured, a cover adapted to close the tops of both of said sections, anda hinge connection between one edge of said cover and the top of the side wall of one of said sections, whereby with the raising of said co-ver, said sections will have pivotal movement'inY relation to each other so as to form an extended base consisting of the side wall of one of said sections and said cover.

"1. A container embodying therein a body portion consisting of two sections, each having two end walls, one side wall and a bottom, a hinge connection between the bottoms of said sections, two compartment casings secured one adjacent eachrend wall of one of said sections, a third compartment casing secured to the other section intermediate said two casings, each of said compartment casings comprising a strip of material bent to form a front wall, sidey walls and rear flanges, ywhereby said casing may be permanently securedto the bottom of one of said body sections and of a width less than that of the two sections, whereby a space is afforded in the other section for articles projecting from said Acasing, one end of said casing being closed by the side wall of the section with which it is connected, a cover adapted to close the tops of both of said sections, and a hinge connection between one edge of said cover and the top of the side wall of one of said sections, whereby with the raising of said cover, said sections will have pivotal movement in relation to each other so as to form an extended base consisting of the side wall of one of said sections and said cover.

SAUL K. woLFF. 

